Redding Hockey to get McConnell grant

Redding Hockey will be spending a $7,300 grant on 50 sets of new roller hockey equipment. What the non-profit organization really hopes to buy with the money is more kids who want to try the sport.

The grant from the McConnell Foundation will benefit youth hockey players of all ages, secretary Beth Tappan said, regardless of skill level. In fact, Tappan said the grant will enable the organization to bring in kids who aren't sure if they want to make hockey their preferred activity. Just giving them the opportunity to play is the point.

"It is a really, really big deal to us and it's a big deal to the community," Tappan said. "We have dozens and dozens of kids who want to check it out. And whenever we follow up it's usually a financial reason why they aren't able to. This will allow 50 kids to try, which doesn't sound like a lot but it's a substantial amount.

"I've had parents stand there and say 'My kid wants to do it so bad but I can't afford it.' This is the first time that we've been able to say 'That's OK, we have a program and your kid can participate."

Roller hockey requires a locker full of equipment to keep players safe, requiring parents to invest money into the sport as well. That often held kids out, Tappan said, because there was always the possibility that the investment would sour if the child decided that hockey was something they didn't want to stick with. For a nominal fee, and Tappan emphasized the word "nominal" often, the kids will get a full set and get the chance to see how much they like it before asking their parents to make the investment.

"This isn't a money maker," she said. "If they don't want to play any more there won't be any remorse over renting the equipment. And we may offer the opportunity that they can buy it for the replacement cost."

The organization has a Fall League in the coming months and also runs clinics on the side to help kids hone their skills. Games and practices take place at Big League Dreams in Redding.

Currently, the goal is to get more kids involved in playing roller hockey and getting them the equipment to do so. With some hard work by the kids, Tappan said, the goals could change to looking for hockey scholarships. Some have already begun their path to bigger and better things in the sport.

"We've had a lot of kids from this area who have gone on to do great things," she said. "Rachael Munoz is playing ice hockey in Lake Placid, N.Y. and is from Redding Hockey. And we had Joe Merkel take first place at Nationals with a platinum 10U team,"